Exploring Girona

Begin your day by leaving the hotel and driving into Girona. This parking sits on the western side of the river that splits the newer parts of the city from the old center, perfect for enjoying a stroll into the medieval old city.

After you've parked your car, wander through town toward the river. Here you'll find this famous bridge that spans the water, connecting you to the old town on the other side. It's one of the city's more modern sights, offering wonderful views in either direction along the river of the city's colorful houses - a must-get photo in Girona.

On the other side of the bridge, you've officially entered the old town area of Girona. There's a lot to see and do here - you'll start off with a wander through the Jewish Quarter, a warren of narrow laneways that is one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in all of Europe. Inside an old synagogue is now the Museum of Jewish History, offering a glimpse into the life of the city's Jewish population before they were expelled from the country at the end of the 15th century.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00 Sunday – Monday: 10:00 – 14:00

After touring through the museum, you'll continue your wandering through Girona's picturesque old town. There are plenty of Romanesque and Gothic buildings to admire, but towering above the rest and beckoning you up to its steps is the formidable Cathedral of Girona. Dating to the 5th century, the baroque facade is an impressive sight. The cathedral was a shooting location for the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00 Sundays: noon – 18:00

Next, wander across to the Monastery of Sant Pere of Galligants, another wonderful example of medieval architecture. A visit inside reveals a beautiful cloister, with mythical beasts painted on the columns around the edges.
Inside, you'll also find the Archeological Museum of Catalonia, detailing the history of mankind in the region through informative displays and relics of the Roman Empire. A worthy stop to make on your explorations of Girona.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 19:00 Sundays: 10:00 – 14:00 Closed on Mondays.

Now, it's time for lunch. Outside of Barcelona, Girona has one of the best foodie scenes in Catalonia, offering a world-class selection of Spanish specialties. Terram is one such restaurant, making a name for itself as one of the best restaurants in the city.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Monday: 13:30 – 15:30 & 20:30 – 22:30 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Reservations can be made via the restaurant's official website.

After lunch, make your way back through the old town, following the small streets up alongside the cathedral. Eventually, you'll come across the entrance to the German Gardens, a lush area for exploring. This garden also gives access to the city walls (Muralles de Girona). Wandering along the ramparts offers wonderful views over the city and is highly recommended.

After your explorations along the wall, it's time to head back to the car and start making your way back to Barcelona.

To break up the leisurely drive from Girona back to Barcelona, pull off into the small town of Hostalric, where this restaurant sits inside a beautiful old country house on the outskirts of town. The rural vibes belie the top quality dishes on offer here - this is a fabulous hidden gem between Girona and Barcelona.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00 Closed Monday – Wednesday

After dinner, it's around a one-hour drive back to Barcelona, completing the 2-day trip by returning to the Catalan capital. There's still plenty to see and do, both in the city and surrounding regions, so why not stay a while and continue exploring?